The Australian Department of Home Affairs replaced the 457 Visa with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482).

This visa helps Australian employers address skilled worker shortages by allowing them to recruit talent from overseas when suitable Australian citizens or permanent residents are unavailable. The 482 visa prioritizes Australian workers in the job market.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be sponsored by an approved business.
• Be nominated for an approved occupation.
• You can apply for this visa from within or outside Australia.

The 482 visa has three streams you can work under:

• Short-Term stream
• Medium-Term stream
• Labour Agreement stream

Short-Term Stream

The Short-Term Stream is for skilled workers who have an approved business sponsor for a job on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

Key details for this visa include:

• Duration: You can work in Australia for up to two years, or up to four years if an International Trade Obligation applies.
• Cost: The visa application fee is AUD1,150.
• Renewal: You can renew this visa only once while you are in Australia.
• Limitations: You can only hold one temporary visa as a primary applicant under this stream.

Medium-Term Stream

The Medium-Term Stream is for those sponsored by an employer for a job on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

Key details for this visa include:

• Duration: This visa allows you to work in Australia for up to four years.
• Cost: The visa application fee is AUD2,400.
• Renewal: You can apply for this visa an unlimited number of times.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement Stream is for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer who has a formal labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

• Be nominated by an approved sponsor.
• Have at least two years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
• Meet English language requirements and any necessary skills or qualification assessments.
• Satisfy health and character checks.
• Hold a valid visa (or a specific bridging visa) if you are applying from within Australia.
• Fulfill the specific requirements of the visa stream, such as the "Genuine Temporary Entrant" (GTE) requirement for the Short-term stream.

Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Employers

As an employer, you can sponsor an overseas applicant by meeting these requirements:

1. Business Sponsorship
   • Your business must be a legally operating entity in Australia.
   • You need to hold a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS), which is valid for five years.
   • The sponsorship application fee is AUD 420.
2. Nomination of Employee
   Once you have a valid SBS, you can nominate an employee for an eligible occupation on either the MLTSSL or STSOL. To do this, you must:
   • Submit a valid employment contract for the position.
   • Ensure the salary offered is at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
   • Specify the job location and the duration of the employment.
   • Provide evidence of Labour Market Testing (where required).
   • Pay a nomination fee of AUD 330.

English Language Requirements

The English language requirements depend on the visa stream:

• Short-Term Stream: An overall band score of 5.0 or equivalent, with no band less than 4.5 in each module.
• Medium-Term Stream: An overall band score of 5.0 or equivalent, with no band less than 5.0 in each module.

Health and Character Requirements

All applicants, including any family members on the application, must satisfy health and character requirements:

• Health: You must provide valid medical certificates, obtained within 12 months of lodging your application.
• Character: You must submit police clearance certificates to meet the character requirements.

Including Family in Your Application

You may include your spouse and your/your spouse's child or step-child in your visa application.

Navigating the visa process can be complex. For professional assistance and to increase your chances of a successful outcome, we recommend consulting with our registered migration agents. They have extensive experience with Australian migration law and can help you with every step of your application.

For a detailed comparison of the short-term and medium-term streams, please refer to our complete guide on the TSS Visa.